"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."

- GK Chesterton

When I think about my mom and dad, gratitude is one of the first, strongest emotions that I feel. Not that I can claim a long life and deep wisdom, but, the longer I live, the more appreciation and awe and admiration I have for what they did for me and my siblings. And not just that, but the longer I'm married, the more appreciation and awe and admiration I have for what they did, and do, for each other. Seeing a couple travel through thirty plus years of mountains, valleys, and plateaus - and constantly aiming for those joyous peaks - is incredible, and hugely inspiring.

I'm so thankful for my parents example and friendship, in life and everything that goes with it. Getting to photograph them as a Christmas gift was without a doubt one of the highlights of my journey as a photographer. Honestly there probably wouldn't have been much of a photographic journey without their support and encouragement. I can only imagine that your oldest son deciding that college was lame and he wanted to be a photographer wasn't an easy thing to support initially, but they did. Their encouragement to always pursue what I loved and work at it wholeheartedly really sums up the kind of souls they are.

See more of their shoot featured on previous Bachelorette, Desiree Hartsock, wedding blog.